Trevor’s true grit gets civic recognition

Trevor Stirling, who recently received a fifth place finish in the World Roads Associations snow plough championships in Andorra, is pictured at a special reception with the Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr. Audrey Wales, to mark the achievement. Trevor is pictured with his wife Martina, children Sam, Jack and Harry, and work colleague Alan McLeister, and Cllr. Martin Clarke. INBT09-203AC

A Cullybackey man has been given civic recognition for driving into fifth place in the Snow Plough World Championships.

Trevor Stirling has worked for the past 14 years clearing and gritting roads in Roads Service northern division and is based at their Ballykeel Depot.

Roads Service were invited last year by The UK National Committee of the World Roads Association to identify one of their gritter drivers to represent the UK at a snow plough driving competition at the International Winter Road Congress in Andorra in February 2014.

The 48-year-old was chosen to represent the UK at the World Roads Association’s snow plough championships for his work ethic, skills and knowledge, his approach to team work and his dedication to clearing the roads.

Over the two-day competition Trevor had to navigate a snow plough around a complex obstacle course but qualified on Day One for what was to be a tense final.

Trevor was commended on his achievement by the Mayor, Cllr Audrey Wales at a civic reception in his honour on Thursday.

Cllr Martin Clarke, who attended, said: “Trevor has brought great honour to the whole workforce at Roads Service with his skills and his dedication to his work.

“I know I speak for all the Councillors when I say a ‘Big Thank You’ to Trevor and the entire workforce at DRD Roads Service for all the work they do in keeping the roads in this area clear and safe, and sometimes we forget when we are asleep in our warm beds, these men are out in the frost and snow.”